U.S.-Taiwan-China Relations:
Post-Taiwan Election Roundtable
The National Press Club, Washnigton, D.C.

March 25, 2008

On March 25, 2008, the U.S.-China Policy Foundation (USCPF) hosted a roundtable discussion and luncheon to discuss Taiwan’s March 22, 2008 presidential elections and referenda. The event began with a panel discussion moderated by USCPF Co-Chair and former Ambassador Chas W. Freeman, Jr.

The panelists included the following China experts:

Dr. Richard C. Bush, III, Director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Bush’s expertise include China-Taiwan relations and U.S.-China relations. He is the author of Untying the Knot: Making Peace in the Taiwan Strait , and At Cross Purposes: U.S.-Taiwan Relations Since 1942. He also served as Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of the American Institute in Taiwan

Ms. Bonnie Glaser, Senior Associate with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ms Glaser has written extensively on Sino-U.S. relations, U.S.-Chinese military ties, and cross-Strait relations.

Dr. Douglas G. Spelman, Director of the Office of Taiwan Coordination, U.S. Department of State. Dr. Spleman’s career has included postings to Hong Kong (twice), Beijing, the American Institute in Taiwan’s Taipei office, and, from 2002 to 2005, as Consul General in Shanghai.

Dr. Robert G. Sutter, Visiting Professor of Asian Studies at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. During his career with the U.S. Government, Dr. Sutter specialized in Asian and Pacific Affairs and US foreign policy at the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of State, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

 

Dr. Bush began the discussion with remarks about the election and the opportunities created by Ma Ying-jeou’s victory for improved cross-Strait relations. Bush argued that if obstacles – namely the issues raised by the question of Taiwanese sovereignty – are overcome, then the mainland and Taiwan would potentially be able to move forward on substantive issues. Ms. Glaser followed Dr. Bush’s remarks, focusing on probable PRC reactions to the election’s outcome and potential developments in cross-Strait relations. Ms. Glaser also noted that a pre-inaugural trip to the United States by Ma could establish a precedent for future Taiwanese presidents-elect. Dr. Spelman provided his thoughts on U.S. perspective of the elections and the implications on future U.S. policy. He expressed pleasure with the “free and fair elections” in Taiwan, and the continued desire of the U.S. for a peaceful cross-Strait dialogue. During his remarks, he outlined five major goals for the coming months:

1. The United States seeks to improve its relations with Taiwan;
2. The United States and Taiwanese military relations should become firmer and less complex;
3. The People’s Republic of China will hopefully reduce its military posture across the Taiwan Strait;
4. The United States seeks to continue to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations that do not require statehood; and
5. The PRC and Taiwan will hopefully find ways to conduct a fruitful dialogue and achieve progress.

Dr. Sutter ended the remarks portion of the event by providing the audience with a hand-out and speaking about the regional and international position of Taiwan. He outlined the opportunities and implications that the current environment and international reactions to China’s rise provide Taiwan. Dr. Sutter outlined the “hedging” or contingency planning by the United States and other countries in response to China’s rise. He argued that “this hedge, if used adroitly by Taiwan, provides security for Taiwan and the opportunity to expand important international connections.”

The panelists’ remarks were followed by a lively question and answer segment. The event continued with a luncheon at which Ambassador Freeman gave a brief assessment of the current global environment and the role of Taiwan and cross-Strait relations in international affairs.

 

Event Resources:

 

NPC table group